The nationally-ranked William Smith College soccer team and Ithaca played to a scoreless draw on Cozzens Field in the Liberty League Championship game Sunday afternoon. The Bombers captured the league title and the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament with a 5-3 win in penalty kicks. It ended the Herons’ 14-year reign as conference champions.
William Smith (11-1-6) now awaits its fate as an at-large bid. The 2022 NCAA Women’s Soccer Selection show is scheduled for 2 p.m., tomorrow, November 7.
KEY STATS:
- William Smith dominated the stat sheet, finishing with a 21-8 advantage in shots. The Herons also had a 9-3 edge in corner kicks.
- Today’s game was the fourth-straight scoreless draw for the Herons, and it was the sixth straight shutout for the Herons’ defense.
- Amanda Kesler went the distance in goal for William Smith, making four saves.
MOST OUTSTANDING:
- Ithaca’s goalie, Claire Reader was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Performer. She made 11 saves during the tournament, including 10 during today’s championship game.
MATCH MOMENTS:
- Katrine Berg had the first chance of the game for William Smith in the 25th minute, but her shot from just outside the 18-yard box was smothered by Reader.
- In the 32nd minute, Kaitlyn Weis had a shot turned aside by Kesler.
- Emma Faso nearly broke the deadlock in the 49th minute, but her shot was punched aside by Reader.
- At the opposite end of the pitch, Kesler made a diving stop on an attempt from Ally Stanton.
- In the 72nd minute, Julia Berg had a header attempt stopped by Reader.
- Ella Reish nearly won the game in the second overtime, but her heel flick was gobbled up by Reader.
- Ruth Hotaling had perhaps the best chance to win the game in the 103rd minute. She fired a shot from 20-yards out that was ticketed for the bottom right corner of the cage. It was turned aside by a diving Reader.
THE SHOOTOUT:
- The Bombers switched goalies in the shootout, inserting Grace Hickey between the pipes.
- Ithaca chose to shoot first and converted on all five of their attempts.
- William Smith converted on their first attempt, but Hickey dove to her left to make the save on the second attempt.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.
